10 Books To Give A Graduate That Will Set Them Up For Success

Nancy L. Anderson
, ContributorI write about living rich while transitioning to retirementOpinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

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When you stop to think about it, a book is truly amazing. With the turn of a page, a lifetime of knowledge from the world’s most learned people is right in front of your eyes.

A great book can make a lasting impression on a young person. Because of this, a basket of books can be the best present for a high school senior who is moving on to the next stage of his or her life.

Here are some ideas:

“Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl

Frankl was a psychotherapist and a Nazi death camp survivor who founded a discipline called logotherapy. This discipline is based on his research and real-life experience that meaning, rather than pleasure, is the main driver of behavior.

Millions of people can’t be wrong. As of the time of his death in 1997, over 10 million copies had been sold.

“The Millionaire Next Door” by Thomas J. Stanley

In this classic book, Stanley studied millionaires and multimillionaires to discern their habits. He found that their way of handling money was the opposite of what people might think. Instead of spending in excess, these self-made business people were “tight” with their money, drove late-model cars, and lived in unassuming houses (hence the title).

“Rich Dad Poor Dad: What The Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That The Poor And Middle Class Do Not” by Robert Kiyosaki

There is a myth that you need a high income to become rich. Robert Kiyosaki busts this misconception by sharing the advice he got from his “rich dad” — a wealthy self-made father of a friend. He contrasts that money mentality with that of his own middle class father.

This is one of the most popular personal finance books of all time and is accessible for anyone and everyone.

“The Elements of Style” by Strunk and White and “On Writing” by Stephen King

Every college student needs to have “The Elements of Style” on their shelf, even if just to know 57 words that are often “misplaced” and advice to “omit needless words.” This classic book on writing style would be even better paired with prolific author Stephen King’s primer “On Writing.”

Though good for every student, these books could be especially helpful for science majors who might appreciate some extra help in required English and writing classes. King’s “toolbox” section could come in handy, and the story of his early struggles is inspiring.

“The Road to Character” by David Brooks

David Brooks encourages people to look beyond the traditional measures of success. In his book, “Brooks challenges us, and himself, to rebalance the scales between our ‘résumé virtues’ — achieving wealth, fame, and status — and our ‘eulogy virtues,’ those that exist at the core of our being: kindness, bravery, honesty, or faithfulness, focusing on what kind of relationships we have formed.”